Biology, MS

Graduate Coordinator: Liesl Jeffers-Francis Email: ljeffers@ncat.edu  Phone: 336-285-2506
Department Chair: Checo J. Rorie                 Email: cjrorie@ncat.edu   Phone: 336-285-2160

The primary objective of the Master of Science program in Biology is to prepare students to enter and complete doctoral and health professional programs to become productive teachers, researchers, and health professionals. To support this objective, this program will develop in all participants, through research experiences and other enrichment activities, independent thinking, creativity, critical judgment, and personal integrity. Specifically, this  program is designed to enhance the student’s ability to design experiments, to analyze results, to become competent using state-of-the art research equipment, enhance manipulative skills, and to improve the student’s proficiency in oral and written communication. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research in various areas, including cancer research, diabetes research, molecular genetics, microbiology/immunology, genomics/bioinformatics, physiology, evolution, toxicology, neuroscience, and health disparities research.

Additional Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or a related discipline from an accredited institution. Considerations of performance in discipline-related coursework is a critical factor in the holistic admissions review process, along with a competitive cumulative Grade Point Average (typically 3.0 or above).

Three or more of the following pre-requisites are required:
• One semester of Calculus
• One year of Physics
• One year of Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry through Organic Chemistry II

Two or more letters of recommendation from academic and professional references, which describe the applicant’s background, strengths, and aptitudes for graduate study, should be submitted with the application.

Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the same individuals who complete the recommendation form included in the standard Graduate College application. For more information about eligibility, interested applicants should contact the departmental graduate program coordinator. 

Program Outcomes

• SLO I: Knowledge of the Biological Discipline. During the course of study in the Master of Science Degree Program in Biology, students integrate biological concepts from a variety of sub-disciplines on the required comprehensive examination prepared by instructors of courses that students have taken in the first year.
• SLO 2: Communication. During the course of study in the Master of Science Degree Program in Biology, students will present research findings in standard formats used by biological scientists and the guidelines of the NC A&T Graduate College. 
• SLO 3: Critical Thinking (Masters Level). During the course of study in the Master of Science Degree Program in Biology, students will conduct critical reviews of scientific papers according to guidelines of the instructor. 
• SLO 4: Scientific Research. During the course of study in the Master of Science Degree Program in Biology, students will implement an original research project based on the standard guidelines for biological research and a proposal approved by a faculty research advisor and committee.